Anger at loss of the ‘handyman’ service

ROTHERHAM Council has been blasted for pulling the plug on a handyman service  but the local authority said it had been scrapped because of low demand.

The handyman service run by Yorkshire Housing and funded by RMBC offered the elderly and vulnerable a helping hand with minor repairs.

Small jobs such as changing light bulbs, installing curtain rails and fitting home security measures were carried out, with only material costs and a small service charge paid.

But RMBC ceased funding the arrangement at the end of September, to the dismay of some regular users.

Herringthorpe resident Val Marks said: “I think it’s disgusting \_ I didn’t hear anything about it, and it just stopped on September 30.

“I’ve been using it for maybe five years.

“They put me a chain on the door, put little alarms in and changed light bulbs.

“It has saved me hundreds over the years.

“The elderly might not know about how to get these jobs done and just leave them.”

She added: “This service is vital. I’ve been in touch with my ward councillor to see if they can help.”

Another pensioner told the Advertiser he had used the service many times and described it as “very valuable”.

A Yorkshire Housing spokesperson said: “We share our customers frustration that this important service has ended.

“Unfortunately, the decision was taken by Rotherham Council to stop funding the handyperson service.

“We’d like to reassure customers who have difficulty getting into or around their home, that our adaptations service will continue to provide them with extra support, and we’d encourage anyone who needs help to get in touch with us.”

RMBC’s acting assistant director for housing services, Paul Walsh said: “The Handyperson service provided by Yorkshire Housing was supported by a funding contribution from Rotherham Council.

“The service arrangement with the council was decommissioned on September 30 due to limited take-up of the service in recent years.

“There was also duplication of the assistance requested which could be accessed and more appropriately delivered through other council services such as occupational health, the housing repairs service and via the home adaptions team.”